Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-26


| welcomed Mr.. Robt. DOwnings return to Washing.
ton last night, and followed with the ktndiest at
| tentton and frequent outburStS OF tumultuouS ap-
plause his enactment OF the heroic role OF SPARTA
c1Ls. or the young stars fitness for this role there
| can hardly be any question. Few actors ON any
| for II as Mr.. Downing displays. Probably Salvini
alone OF the actors known to the present genera
ton OF theatergoers, at once impresses his audi
ence with greater sense OF physical power than
does Mr.. Downing This impression is well sus-
tanned by his voice, which is strong and Deep and
stands without sign of exhaustion The tremendous
| strain put upon it by the many long and impas-
stoned stoned speeches which are assigned to spar
voice is one OF his most valuable gifts,
and he cannot be too careful in his use OF it, nor
| ton which, while they may be effective for the
moment, In the end not alone weary the ear OF the
of the actor. Thin voices necessarily have to be
pitched In a high key to carry far, but organ
S1en as M spd R9SWDng
ners OF theater like the National without being
raised much above the conversational tone. 1t IS
by inteiligent incubation rather than pitch
and volume by which the actor should
strive to obtain his effect and by which
| alone be obtained. These things have plainly
engaged the attention OF Mr.. Downing within the
las. lew months OF his career for there has been
uiStInct ana most gratifying Improvement In his
eiocutlOnary methods as well as In other aspects
OF ms representation Of Spartacus. As whole. it
very creditable piece of work, showing the young
actor TO immeasureably better advantage than
SIDE exception OF In0Omar, and indicating the
direction In which he must seek the histrionic
tr1l1nmphs which, with ripper experience and In
teinSent Seif-dlSclpline he can hardly fail to
achieve Already he has gone far toward attain
Ing that self-absorption in the role which is SO
difficult but so essential and through which
alone a consistent, weli-rounded and really
powerful representation can be worked out.
IN Which he stirred the 4be bou as
STATIONS, but In the pathetic passages did Mr..
Downing show greater self-cOmmand and more in
Tell
produce more pleasing and artistic effect. In the
1rSt act he was really telling anythingOf the
tain, six times the end OF the third act At the
nna fall Of the curtain the audience waited while
Mr. Downing made brief speech, thanking his
Washington friends for the warmth OF their wei
come, and mOdeStly aScnbtng much OF his recent
success to his manager Mr.. j. H. Mack. Mr..
Downing Is fairly well supported MI Henry Ave
nngs Phas0rials Is highly meritorious impersona-
tion strong and intelligent throughout. Miss NAL
arini was satisfactory SOnOnd.
CONCERT AT GRAND ARMY HALL.-ThOSe who
enjoy doing good and good music at the same time
will do well TO attend the concert at Grand Army
in competent hands, and the object is worthy
one. See the advertisement for details
PIANO RECITAL--Mle. Alfalfa Ramleh, who is an
nOunced as pianiste to the khedive of Egypt, will
give piano rectta! at Congregational church on
Saturday night She Will be assisted by other
artists.
ALBAUGH's OPERA HoUsE.-A new opera by Gill
bert and sullivan is always certain TO attract a
large audience and the one assembled last night
TO witness the performance OF "Ruddygore," by
the McCaull opera Company, was no exception to
the rule. Judging from the warm reception OF the
company and the liberal number of encores, the
opera may be set down as at least moderate sue
cess. Nevertheless in its entirety, "Ruddygore"
Is disappointing, and while the book is at times
extremely bright and portions OF the music as
tuneful as anything sullivan ever wrote still the
work cannot be regarded as reaching the standard
of other operas by the same authors. The story OF
"RuddygOre," burleSque on the Old-t1me melO-
drama, Is sufficiently we'll known not TO require
rehearsal at this time. The first act Is by far the
n
all the pretty music of the piece. Especially
worthy of mention is Rose Naybudrs first solo, the
duet between Rose and Robin, and the madrgal
for principals and chorus in the finale Of the act.
Col McCaull'S company Is of good quality. Dgby
sufficient opportunities for the exercise OF his
unctuOuS comedy ability. The liberties Mr.. Bell
has taken with the text are calculated to harrow
up the authors soul, but certainly lend to nven up
several rather dull scenes As Rose Mdy5Ld Miss
Marian ManOa was charmingly ndiUe, and sang
Miss Annie Meyer deserves warm eommendation
for her rendition OF the rather thankleSS role OF
Nod Mr9Gset given II nan an entirely
Marlborough, John Brand and Ellis Ryse were also
very good, the dancing OF the former meeting with
staged and cOStumed. In the second act the en-
tire house was darkened Tor several moments du-
ring which the conductor led with an Illuminated
baton.
HARRIS BIJoU THEATER-A satisfactory perform
ance OF that excellent drama, 1.-THE Silver King"
Mr.. King Hedley, who brought out effectively the
strong lesson OF the leading part The scenery
Was good.
The FORD SISTERS TEsTIMoN1AL-Among those
who will take part in the testimonial concert to
the Ford sisters at congregational church Wednes-
day evening, are Prof. B1SchOn, Mrs. KaSpar, the
washington quartette, Mr. Whipple, Col. Settler,
Miss Maude Gruelle and Oracle and Cherry Ford
KKRNANs THEATER."our Minstrel Boys" with
the novelty features interspersed, proved an &C
ceptable entertainment at Kernan's last night.
THE MANASSAS PANORAMA retains its clientele of
patrons from week TO week
YOUNG WoMANs TEMPERANCE UN1oN-A social
meeting OF the Young Womans Christian Temper
ance Union Division No. 3, was held last evening,
at the Church OF Our Father. Miss Alice Sitter
gave piano solo, Mrs. j. A. Williams and Mr..
Westcott made addresses; Miss Cloakey and Dr.
Duncan recited. Prof. Spencer rendered guitar
solo, and E p. Wh1pple sang. Refreshments were
served
The BIRTHDAY OF GIN: GRANT. - The ami
served by a meeting, to be held this evening,
under the auspices OF the o. p. Morton Post, G. A.
r., at the Metropolitan A. N. + church. The
speakers expected are Col. Geo. w. Williams Col.
Coco. GOrham, of California; Capt JnO. b. DOwd,
OF Indiana; w. Scott Montgomery and Rev. TheO
Gould Stewart.
THE RUSSIAN POLICE SERvICE.-The subject of
lecture at the \. NJ c. Association last evening by
Mr.. Geo. KEENAN, was 'Russian Police and Gems
dArmes," In which he described, in an entertain
ing manner, the results of his ex perience and OBJ
Of the rivalry which existed between the police
and gems darmes both OF which Organiza-
Uns were engaged In perpetaaliy endeavorng to
lists. The policy OF the government encouraged
this rivalry, which went far toward establishing
the almost perfect detective service of the empire
LINCOLN HALL PROPERTY. This fine business
stand Is to be sold at public auction on Thursday
next Situated as 1t is on the corner OF and 9th
streets is one OF the most desirable points in the
city, and some enterprising man has the OppOrtu-
nifty OF making one OF the best investments posi-
BILE by purchasing and properly improving it. 1t
Is certain 10 yield good return on any reasonable